Solar panels are an incredible investment for your home, providing clean, renewable energy and significant savings on your electricity bill. However, homeowners can be concerned about underperforming solar panels.

Several elements can impact the efficiency of your solar panels. Seasons, extreme weather conditions, shading from trees and buildings, dirt buildup, bird droppings, and other debris on the panel can reduce their energy efficiency.

In this article, we will explore what happens when solar panels don't produce enough power to meet your needs, including the reasons behind insufficient solar output and solutions to keep your system functioning at its best.

Seasonal and time variations

Sunlight intensity fluctuates throughout the year. Solar panels naturally generate more electricity during summer months with longer daylight hours. Don't be alarmed if you need to supplement your power with some grid energy during winter.

Additionally, solar panels produce the most power during midday when the sun is directly overhead.

This period, typically between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., offers the most direct sunlight, allowing the panels to operate at peak output. However, due to the sun's angle, production can be lower in the early morning and late afternoon, reducing the intensity of sunlight reaching the panels.

Clear, sunny days provide the best conditions as solar panels are constantly exposed to the sun, while cloudy weather or rainy days can reduce their output.

System issues and solar power system placement

Sometimes, the problem might lie with your solar system itself. Malfunctioning components like a solar inverter, battery, or even dirty wiring can hinder power production. Have a monitoring system to track power generation and identify potential issues early on.

Shading from trees, buildings, or other obstructions can significantly reduce the amount of sunlight your panels receive, lowering their output.

Panel cleanliness influences solar system efficiency

Believe it or not, dust, dirt, and bird droppings can accumulate on your PV panels, reducing their efficiency in converting sunlight into electricity. In such cases, you get less power than usual. 

How to maintain optimal energy output performance

To maintain optimal performance, follow these best practices:

• Regular cleaning: Clean your solar panel with a garden hose and a soft cloth to remove dust, leaves, and bird droppings. Consider hiring a professional cleaning service in areas where panels are hard to reach to ensure you get enough energy.

• Monitor shading: Trim nearby trees or bushes that may grow and cast shadows on your panels.

• Inspect seals and connections: Regularly check seals and connections for signs of wear and request repair services as needed using silicon-based sealants.

• Weatherproof components: Ensure that junction boxes and other solar panel components are well-weatherproofed to prevent water intrusion and corrosion.

• System Check-Up: If you suspect a malfunction within the system, contact your solar installer for a professional inspection. This will ensure that your solar inverter and other components remain in good working condition.

Designing a custom solar system for your home: the sunrun difference

When we design your solar system, we ensure that it meets your household electricity needs to a tee, helping you maximize your electricity savings over time.

We’ll extensively assess your home electricity usage to ensure that your solar panels produce the power you need to keep your household up and running.

Keep in mind that there’s the chance you’ll have an unseasonably hot summer that requires you to crank on the air conditioning (AC) more than usual. If that’s the case, you may have to use some extra electricity from your local utility, resulting in a slightly higher energy bill for that month.

Fun Facts: Solar panels produce the most power during midday when the sun is highest in the sky. Production can be lower in the early morning and late afternoon due to the angle of the sun.

Your solar panels would still be producing the amount of power they’re supposed to—your higher-than-average energy usage will just need an added boost from the grid to support it.

We’re also one of the only solar companies out there that won’t make you pay if your solar power system makes more power than you need. We believe you’re entitled to your solar panel's power output, especially if it’s working even better than expected.

If you decide to purchase your own solar panel system, your panels will still be backed by separate manufacturing warranties, but we can’t make any guarantees on energy production. 

Expert Tip: Regularly clean your solar panels to remove dust, leaves, and bird droppings. This can be done using a garden hose and a soft cloth or a professional cleaning service if the panels are hard to reach.

That’s why most of our customers choose our BrightSave plans, which include 24/7 monitoring and maintenance to ensure your panels are in top working condition.